From NYC · Pocono Cruise to Jim Thorpe

This full-day version starts in New York City (the George Washington Bridge). The first 80 miles take the faster roads (I-78 and the New Jersey Turnpike) to reach Easton, where the good part begins. The core stretch, Pocono Cruise to Jim Thorpe, runs 74 miles to Jim Thorpe.

The ride home is the quick way: 118 miles on I-80, PA-903 and I-95 back to the city. All in, it's about 273 miles and 6 hours in the saddle, before any stops for gas, food or photos. Plan on a long day and an early start.

Full-day version that starts in New York City: it adds the ride there and back to Pocono Cruise to Jim Thorpe. Here is what you'll find on the core stretch:

A Poconos crossing that starts in Easton, runs up PA-611 along the river to the Water Gap, goes through Stroudsburg and takes PA-715, the fun part, before following US-209 to Jim Thorpe. The payoff is the town itself: mountain streets and Victorian buildings that feel like another continent. It's one-way and long for a half day, so plan the ride home. In October Jim Thorpe fills up with leaf-peepers and parking is tough; the Tannersville stretch is commercial and slow.